A living legend of bluegrass and old-time mountain music, Ralph Stanley has been playing and recording steadily since 1947 when he and his brother Carter formed the Stanley Brothers. A Mother’s Prayer is a mix of traditional spirituals and some fine contemporary songs that fit the gospel theme of the album. The current lineup of his backing band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, features fiddle, bass, mandolin, two guitars (played by his son and grandson), and banjo by Steve Sparkman, who plays in the style made famous by Stanley himself. As masterful as the band is, the highlight throughout is Stanley’s incomparable voice. His vocal timbre reflects his 84 years while retaining its undeniable power, richness, and depth. He's particularly riveting on the tracks done a cappella or with sparse instrumentation, including “Come All Ye Tenderhearted,” “Lift Him Up, That’s All,” “That Wonderful Place,” and “John the Revelator,” all of which are sung with a sincerity that brings on the goose bumps. A Mother’s Prayer is a moving addition to the body of work by this American treasure.